Sterilizer



April 17, 1926. 1,666,825

E. D. KING, JR

STERILIZER Filed Dec.- 4, 1926 INVENTOR.

/ h Edwin/D. [12, ,173

ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

, EDWIN 1), KING, m, or vA nosrA, GEORGIA.

STERILIZEB.

Application filed December 5 This invention relates to a sterilizer and has for its object to provide, 111,21 manner as hereinafter set forth, anappa'ratus/ of such class for sterilizingpublic drinking vessels to remove therefrom disease producing bac-. teria, thereby renderingsafe, which otherwise might be a dangerous drinking vessel, such as when it hasbeen previously used by persons suffering fromtrench mouth, tuberculosis,for other dangerous communicable diseases.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a sterilizing'apparatus for subjecting public drinking vessels tosteam heat, under pressure,'a nd arranged to maintain the pressure to produce a high temperature which is very effective in the destruction'of disease-producing bacteria. 7 -Further objects of the invention areto provide, ina manner as hereinafter set forth, a sterilizing apparatus which-is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently operated, readily set up,

and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

WVith the foregoing and other-objects in view the invention consistsof the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafterinore specifically de-.

scribed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is'shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be under-' stood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claim hereunto appended.

4 In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, of sterilizing apparatus in accordance with. this invention, and further ill'ustratingja tray of drinking vessels arranged therein.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hinged cover. .i i

Figure 3 isa top plan View of the tray or container for the drinking vessels or glasses to be sterilized.

v Figure 4 is an elevation illustrating a tray removing means and showing the adaptation of the tray in connection with saidmeans.

A sterilizing apparatus, in accordance with this invention, comprises a body portion re ferred to' generally by the reference character 1 which is of cylindrical contour or in 4,-1926. Serial No. 152,660.

other words formed of a cylindrical body portion 2 of substantial height, and provided 2 at its upper end with a laterally extending annular flange 3. The body'portion 2 is open atits'top and closed at its lower end, by abottom 4, which-is arcuate in contour in cross section or in other words the bottom 4 is convexed. i I v The flange 3'is formed with notches 5 disposed radially with respect to the axis of the bodyportion 2. The notches 5 are arranged inspaced relation. 'The body portion 2 has projecting from its outer face, a series of spaced pairs of apertured lugs 6. The lugs of each pair are spaced from each other. The upperends of the lugs are integral with the lower face of the flange 3. The inner faces'ofthe lugs of each pair-flare flush with the side edges of the notch. i .The open top of the body portion 2, is closed by a concaved hinged lid referred to generally by the reference character 7, and comprises a body portion 8 which in cross section, is of dome-shaped contour and formed integral withthe body portion 8,- is a laterally extendingflange ,9of the same Width as the flange 3, and which is arranged in superposedrrelation with respect to the flange 3 when the lid 7 is in closure position. The flange 9 isprovided with spaced notches 10 which aline with the notches 5 in the flange A packing element 11 is interposed between the flanges 3 and '9 and said element is also notched to register with the notches in said flanges.

Positioned between each pair of lugs 6, as well as. being pivotally; connected therewith as at 12, is a swinging bolt 13 having its lower portionforined with an opening 14 for .the reception of the pivot 12. The bolt 13 is adapted to be swung into a set of registering notches and to extend above the flange 9. Mounted on eachbolt 13 is'a threaded clamping member 14 of the wing type, and which threadably'engages with the threaded upper end 15 of the bolt 13. The members 1 1 are adjusted downwardly on the bolts 13, andfclamp against the upper face of the flange9 to providea steam tight joint between the lid 7 and top of the body portion 1.

Carried by the lid 7, as Well as communieatingv with the sterilizing chamber 16, formed by the body portion 2 and lid 7, is a pressure gauge, 17. The lid 7 has further secured theretoa safety valve 19 which also communicates with the chamber 16.

The body portion 2 in proximity. to the flange 3, is formed with a nipple 20 which communicates with the chamber 16 and said body portion 2, in proximity to its lower end is also provided with a nipple 21 which comthe coupling 23 is a vertically disposed steam supply pipe 26, which opens into a T-coupling 21carried by the nipple 21. The pipe 26 is provided intermediate its ends with a cut-off valve 27. By the arrangement of steam supply pipes shown, the steam can be supplied simultaneously to the chamber 16 at. the upper and lower ends thereof, or it can be independently supplied to the upper or to the lower end thereof. Attached to the T-coupling 21 is a normal closed valve 18, which permits of reducing the pressure within the body portion 2 and also provides for the discharge, at the bottom of the body portion 2, of water and dead steam, as they are undesirable for the best sterilization.

= brackets 28, in the form of angle ironsiand which act as means for supporting a tray, container, holder or crate referred to gen- I erally by the reference character 29, for the drinking vessels orglasses 30 which are to be sterilized. 6

The tray, container, holder or cratewi-ll be hereinafter termed a tray and preferably the height thereof is slightly greater than the drinking vessels to be sterilized. The tray 29 con-forms in contour tothe shape of the body portion 2, but it is slightly less than the interior dimensions of the body portion 2, whereby when the tray 29 is mounted in position it will be spaced from the wall of the chamber 16. Preferably the body portion 2 is of a height to receivc six trays, arra1'iged in superposed relation, and with the lowertrays supporting the upper trays and with the lowermost tray mounted on the brackets As shown the tray consists of an annular body portion 31, formed throughout with a single r ow of circumferentially extending spaced circular openings 32. The openings are spaced equi-distant with respect to each other and preferably each opening is an inch and a quarter in diameter and further of a diameter greater than half the height of the body portion- 31. The openings are spaced equi-distant from the upperand lower ends closed and the steam turned in and allowed,

to increase pressure to the, lethal point for bacteria'forthe required length of time, five to ten pounds for twenty tothirty. minutes. The pressure is then released through the medium of the valve l8, and

when the apparatus and contents have cooled sufficiently the traps are removed, The. action of the steam upon the drinking vessels will entirely destroy the pathogenic bacteria. The drinking vessels are mounted in the traysbottom up. As the trays are perforated throughout, the steam can circulate through the superposedtrays and attack the drinking vessels mounted therein.

As the steam is supplied under pressure it has an unusually effective result and dry steam under ten to fifteen po mds-of pres sure will render disease germs harmless if continued from twenty to thirty minutes,

For conveniently removing and, replacing-a tray of drinking vessels, a-lifting de-. vice as illustratedin Figure 4:, is shown con nected with a tray. Thelifting device consistsv of a resilient yoke-shaped member 35. of inverted contour and which has its top bent in an overlapping manner to provide a spring loop 36. The arms of the member 36 are indicated at 37, 38 and each has its lower end formed with a hook 39. Connected to the spring loop 36 is an elongated bar 40 provided with a hook 41 at its lower end. he lifting device is in the form of a tripod, and when connected with the tray its inherent resilient characteristic: will maintainit in clamping position with respect to the tray. I I 1 It is thought that, the many advantages of a sterilizing apparatus, in armorclance with this invention, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodi ment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

lVhat I claim is:

A sterilizing apparatus comprising an open top body portion having a closed convex bottom, supports within said body portion in close proximity to said bottonna concave lid for said body portion and form: ing in connection with the latter a sterilizing chamber, means for hinging the lid to the body portion, means coacting withzthe body portion and lid to form a steam tight joint therebetween, removable means mounted on said supports and adapted to contain the articles to be sterilized, a nipple extended laterally from the body portion belowsaid supporting means and in close proximity to the lower end of said bottom, a vertically disposed steam supply pipe opening into said chamber near its upper end and further opening into said nipple, a cut-ofl? carried by said pipe in proximity to its upper end, a cut-off carried by said pipe in proxhereto.

EDWIN 1). KING, JR,

In testimony whereof, I affix myv signature 

